'Your Business' Magazine Winter 2022

Ayrshire Chamber wishes to acknowledge the support of the following companies as sponsors of our Platinum Partners programme.

The Chamber in Ayrshire represents businesses of all sizes and all sectors and is particularly effective in representing the voice of businesses at local, national and international level.

The Partnership aims to cement the relationship that companies have with Ayrshire Chamber, making sure they get the most out of membership and in turn contributing to the work of the Chamber, so supporting other business in Ayrshire.

Partnership members have access to a comprehensive package of benefits, while at the same time assist with the development of the Chamber movement.

If you would like to discuss the mutual benefits of becoming a Platinum Partner please contact our Membership Development Manager, ghays@ayrshire-chamber.org

RINGING THE CHANGES AND CELEBRATING AYRSHIRE BUSINESS!

As the recently appointed President of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, it’s a real privilege to introduce the Winter Edition of our seasonal magazine ‘Your Business’.

Before I do so, I’d like to highlight some of the recent changes within the Chamber staff and Board, starting of course with the recent appointment of Claire Baird as CEO. Val, who has steadfastly led the Ayrshire Chamber for the last 11 years passed the helm to Claire just last month. We thank Val for her unwavering dedication to the Chamber and Businesses across Ayrshire, and beyond, and we look forward to working closely with Claire in the months and years ahead.

At our recent AGM in September, Frank Gormanley undertook his final official duty as President and passed the Chain of Office to me. It’s been a privilege to work as Vice President to Frank for the majority of his 2-year tenure. The energy and enthusiasm which Frank brings to the Ayrshire business scene is his ‘USP’ and I truly hope that I

can carry that energy forward into my work with the Chamber Board, Staff Team and Business in Ayrshire. Thank-you, Frank.

And, looking to this Edition:

Business Week, which was held during October was a fantastic success and we’ve highlighted some of the week’s events. The mid-week B2B Event which we held at the Park Hotel was notably busy – in fact, the place was abuzz.

The week culminated in the Ayrshire Business Gala Dinner, where we celebrated some 9 award category winners plus the winner of the prestigious ‘Ayrshire Apprenticeship Challenge’. And what a night it was! Highlights of Business Week and the Awards Dinner are covered within this Edition.

On behalf of the Chamber Team and Board, I’d like to congratulate not only the winners but the finalists and all of those who took part in the process. We are fortunate to have so many thriving businesses in Ayrshire, especially during such challenging times of change and uncertainty.

Together, we can support one anotherForward Together!

With thanks,

ALISON SOMERVILLE

Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce President

ALISON SOMERVILLE Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce President

JOIN THE CLASS OF 2023 AND BOOST LEADERSHIP SKILLS

PLATINUM PARTNER

Leadership has been significantly tested over the past couple of years. We have experienced seismic shifts and witnessed transformational change on an unprecedented scale. For many leaders, this has been a chapter of upskilling and reskilling at speed. With rising energy costs, inflation and a predicted economic recession in 2023, there is no shortage of challenges facing leaders right now. Our world is highly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

At a recent leadership event, we gained fascinating insights from a panel of four highly experienced business leaders: Martin Welsh, Booth Welsh; Sara Abbott, Rainbow Services; Mike Stewart, Chevron; Alison Somerville, Dustacco Engineering Ltd.

Each provided personal and professional insights about their leadership journey during the pandemic, lessons learned and their current and future challenges. All supportive of the need to embed leadership skills at all levels within organisations.

Ayrshire College recognises the challenges facing many businesses. Upskilling and reskilling are critical moving forward and we are delighted to launch a new suite of Chartered Management Institute leadership and management courses to help reset, reskill and rebuild.

Learn more about our CMI offering and register your interest at businessgrowth.ac.uk: www1.ayrshire.ac.uk/businessand-training/charteredmanagement-institute

NUALA BOYLE Head of Business Growth

Burnhouse Engineering rewarded for nurturing young talent

As first-time applicants to the Ayrshire Business Awards in 2022, Burnhouse Engineering and Fabrication Ltd, based in Beith, were astounded when they were announced as winner of the Problem Solver Award.

The team had clearly demonstrated their solutions-based working practices and approach to customer projects. They ascribe their evident problem-solving culture to their investment in people through the development of Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships.

In the last two years the Company has recruited and trained four Modern Apprentices and two Graduate Apprentices. This has allowed the Company’s culture to be embedded into their attitude and behaviour to projects which is lead by the Managing Director, Jimmy Burwood.  He embodies the company’s values and ethos with which they embrace engineering challenges and solving their customer’s problems.

Jimmy said of winning the award, “I am incredibly passionate about helping solve our customer’s problems and I shout that from the roof tops every day. The Company’s policy of nurturing young talent is a perfect way for develop a workforce which has a collective point of view and really drives a positive ‘can-do’ culture.”

“Winning the award this year is the cherry on the cake and everyone at Burnhouse is very proud to achieve the recognition.”

www.burnhouse-eng.co.uk

BECREATIVE WINS AYRSHIRE CHAMBER EQUALITY AWARD

Announced at the ever-glamourous Ayrshire Chamber Business Awards Dinner, the team at BeCreative were delighted to be awarded winner in the Equality Trailblazer category.

This particular award celebrates a company or organization that champions diversity and promotes inclusion – in the workforce, to their customers, and with outreach work.

BeCreative prides itself on being an LGBTQIA+ owned agency, but beyond that, its commitment to equality and accessibility for all lies at the very core of the business. Fair pay, transparent organisational structure, and equal opportunities for all are vital values which steer the direction the company moves in.

We put wellbeing at the centre of our organization to ensure every employee feels safe, comfortable, and understood. This means offering flexible hybrid working patterns, breakout office spaces that facilitate different working styles and foster creativity, and a healthy social calendar so that the whole team can bond on a personal level.

Some may see ‘wellbeing’ as a buzzword, but

it’s so much more than that. Success, joy, and great creative work all thrive in an environment that prioritises the health and happiness of the team – which is exactly why BeCreative is thriving!

BeCreative has also recently secured a new national client, Keller Williams UK – the British arm of what is a global learning and real estate business – and entered into conversations with other like-minded, forward-thinking businesses across Glasgow and Ayrshire.

A huge thanks go to the team at Ayrshire Chamber for organising another great Awards and Business dinner – we can’t wait ‘til next year!

www.becreativeagency.co.uk

AYRSHIRE CHAMBER WELCOMES FIFTH FUTURE CHAMBER INTAKE

Ayrshire based business owners, aged 35 or less, had the opportunity to apply for one year’s free Ayrshire Chamber ‘Enterprise’ tier membership. Applications for Future Chamber year 5 opened in September. We are thrilled to welcome 6 fantastic Ayrshire businesses into our membership.

Membership Development Officer, Lisa Stewart, said: “We are delighted to have been able to continue Future Chamber for

a fifth consecutive year. The variety of businesses in this year’s intake is wonderful, truly showing the breadth of entrepreneurship within Ayrshire.”

“Future Chamber will provide a sounding board for the 6 businesses, and will offer support to help their business grow, particularly in this difficult economic landscape.”

Welcome to: Boab's Pit Stop; The Creative Occasion Co; Fangirl Social; Jennifer Graham, Narture CIC and West Coast Motors Ltd.

LOCAL MEDICAL TRAINING PROVIDER LOOKS FORWARD TO NEW GROWTH IN 2023

‘If you believe it, you can achieve it’ - a motto Medicforce1 take forward into 2023 as they expand their business. The East Ayrshire based training provider hopes to offer a wider variety of sessions, as well as grow into new premises in the new year.

MedicForce1 team offer over 114 courses, from Basic First Aid, to Pre-hospital Care - Advanced Medical Training, and have taught in many countries including Nairobi, South Sudan, Dubai, Kenya, Ukraine, Iraq and Somalia in just 2022 alone.

The training provider has a vast history of voluntary work with various Ayrshire based organisations and groups, which their team of Ex-Military and Special Forces trained medics will continue into 2023.

The teams’ work doesn’t stop there! In 2023, Medicforce1 also look forward to working with a number of Close Protection companies, Government agencies, International Aid agencies including International Red Cross, Medicin Sans Frontieres, and various NGO,s to provide much needed training and support in times of need.

John and the team are excited for what the new year will bring, and hope to further strengthen their connection with Chamber members.

www.medicforce1.com

A fleet review can help you begin the process of making sustainable transport choices by highlighting key areas where potential cost and carbon savings could be made.

Energy Saving Trust’s bespoke fleet review service is available via the Energy Agency’s Sustainable Transport Coordinator. Funded by Transport Scotland, fleet reviews are provided free of charge to organisations based in Scotland.

What does the review include?

• Situation analysis: considering the social context of the climate emergency and Scotland’s net zero ambitions.

• The rationale for change.

• Fleet decarbonisation recommendations, with a breakdown of potential cost and carbon savings.

• Funding support information from the Energy Saving Trust to help your business reach its decarbonisation goals.

What funding is available?

Energy Saving Trust offer several grants and loans to help support your organisation’s sustainable transport transition.

Low Carbon Transport Business Loan – an interest-free loan offering limited companies up to £150,000 and sole traders/partnerships up to £75,000 to cover the costs of purchasing a new electric vehicle.

Used Electric Vehicle Loan – an interest-free loan offering limited companies up to £90,000 and sole traders/partnerships up to £75,000 to cover the costs of purchasing a used electric vehicle.

Business Chargepoint Funding – grant funding is available for chargepoints for sole use by occupants, staff and visitors. SMEs located in rural areas of Scotland, or third sector organisations can access this funding.

eBike Business Loan – an interest-free loan of up to £30,000 available to support the purchase of ebikes & eCargo bikes.

To receive free and impartial sustainable transport advice for your business, please contact Emma Duncan, Sustainable Transport Coordinator, at emma.duncan@sw.homeenergyscotland.org

www.energyagency.org.uk

Looking to improve the sustainability of your fleet, but don’t know where to start?

Founded in November 1972 by Les and Margaret Macmillan, the company set out to supply a range of corporate calendars and diaries to businesses throughout the UK. Now 50 years on they provide a complete range of corporate branded merchandise on an international level. From initially supplying those calendars and diaries, the company has grown to supply a comprehensive product collection, ranging from quality economical products to executive, bespoke and tailor-made items. With extensive experience working closely with a diverse range of organisations, Macmillan and Company offer their expertise in what could work best for their customer's brand.

Director Gary Macmillan says,  “Things have certainly changed since joining the company back in 1993 from being on the road with my father and showcasing samples to customers, to now doing so much more online but we still like to give our customers a more personal service where we can.”

“As a family run business, we have always been proud of our personal and professional service. We are continually sourcing the best in quality products for the best prices, to ensure we give our clients a stylish edge to their campaigns.”

“We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support and are so humbled to have many long-standing clients who we have built close, long-lasting relationships with. We are looking forward to many more years supplying businesses with their merchandise.” www.macmillanandcompany.co.uk

HELP YOUR CUSTOMERS SHOP LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS

Shopping locally from smaller brands is a growing desire, aiming to steer clear of large global monoliths. If you’re a local business and want to be seen online as we head into Christmas, here’s something to get on top of ASAP: Google My Business (GMB).

GMB is a powerful way of impacting your local presence online and is widely underutilized. When someone Googles your brand, this is often the top thing that appears and is therefore key to making an impression. What’s nice about GMB is its intuitive, easy-touse design.

Here are some key tips…

First, sign up and get verified (they’ll send a postcard with a pin). Next, fill out as many of the features as possible. In ‘Info’, write a clear business description highlighting who

you are, what you sell, and where it’s available. Have up-to-date opening times; a physical address; phone number; and website link. Embed the GMB map of your location on your site’s Home and Contact pages to show Google the connection.

Use the ‘Services’ section to define the ‘Categories’ you offer and add various ‘Services’ underneath with descriptions. Encourage genuine feedback and star-ratings from your customers through GMB ‘Reviews’ - share the link with them. Interact with the reviews.

In ‘Photos’, upload a logo, cover photo, and images that depict your offerings beautifully. You can make regular GMB ‘Posts’ promoting your brand. All of this together gives a sense of credibility and trustworthiness when users find you on Google while shopping locally this festive period.

www.bigponddigital.co.uk

KITCHENS BY JS GEDDES HAVE ONLY GONE AND DONE IT AGAIN

Senior Designer Felicity O’Hare was crowned UK Kitchen Concept Designer of the Year 2022. In a fabulous awards ceremony hosted by ‘Bridget Jones Diary’ and ‘Smack the Pony’ actress Sally Phillips, Felicity beat off fierce competition from some of the most elite designers in the UK to bring the award back to Ayrshire.

Kitchens by JS Geddes continue to lead and dominate the high-end kitchen market in Ayrshire, always displaying the most innovative designs. Felicity started her career with the company over 15 years ago and in this time has grown from a design technician to a senior designer. Her ability to listen carefully to our clients dreams and desires for their new spaces makes Felicity so different. Her creative flare is unquestionable, and together these fabulous qualities make her one of the UKs most sought after designers. jsgeddes.com

Document Data Group, whom celebrate 15 years in business this year, are delighted to have been shortlisted in the Print IT 2022 Awards in the category of “Reseller of the year”. This is a UK wide award and recognises the hard work and commitment of the team at Document Data Group to the business community.

Document Data Group became members of the chamber back in 2019 through the acquisition of Ivory Solutions. The overall experience and involvement with the Chamber has allowed them to increase their presence within Ayrshire and help many businesses become more efficient by embracing technology.

Marketing Manager Lynne Boyd said “on behalf of Document Data Group I would like to congratulate Ayrshire Chamber on their 75th Anniversary and thank the Chamber Team for their hard work and dedication to the business community. Finally, I wish you all a fantastic festive period and every success in 2023”.

documentdatagroup.com

In keeping with their environmental ethos, Craufurdland’ s motto is ‘plant a tree not a gravestone’. Unlike other natural burial sites, the burial ground at Craufurdland is starting a new woodland, in existing pastures, giving back to nature by creating new life in a beautiful setting.

Simon Craufurd, the present Laird, comments: “We work with families to make sure that the service of remembrance is tailored to the family’s wishes for their loved one. Our key focus is on providing choice, freedom and as few restrictions as possible. We are just there to take care of the practicalities; the choices are all left up to you.”

Services can be from any faith, humanist or an intimate service for friends and family. The funerals are limited to one per day to allow the full focus on the family’s wishes and privacy.

craufurdland.co.uk/burial-ground/

Founded in 2002, Craufurdland Woods Natural Burial Ground, set in the beautiful Ayrshire countryside, is the first private family run woodland burial ground in Scotland. The brainchild of Peter Houison Craufurd, the current Laird’s Farther, who is now buried there.

With soaring energy prices, inflation and the cost of living crisis on our doorstep, it’s very easy for business leaders to become overwhelmed when faced with the challenges ahead, especially when we’re still readjusting from the effects of Brexit and the Covid pandemic.

In this uncertain climate, there hasn’t been a greater need for us to tighten our belts to protect our businesses and the valuable resources we have, and applying some Lean Thinking can really help.

Whilst there are certain things outwith our control, it’s important we don’t lose sight of what’s within our control and the opportunities to improve the way we work. We always need to be asking if we’re doing the best for our customers and operating as efficiently as we could be.

Lean is a powerful methodology that in simple terms can be defined as a set of principles to improve the efficiency of a process by eliminating waste (non-value adding activity). Lean has been around for over 30 years and is derived from the car manufacturer Toyota’s operating model; the Toyota Production System (TPS), based on an ideology of maximising productivity, whilst simultaneously minimising waste.

Whilst Lean has connotations associated with the world of manufacturing, many people don’t realise the same principles can be applied in any industry to the same effect. Lean Thinking is not just about improving the Process, but focusses on People and Purpose as well – all three components common to every industry.

Lean Thinking helps organisations transform the way they work. More importantly, Lean Thinking transforms the mindset through which a business operates – one that has the utmost focus on Continuous Improvement and respect for people in order to deliver value to the customer.

Businesses need to start thinking Lean and ask themselves “what can we do tomorrow that will make us better than we are today?”

For more information on Lean Thinking and the application of Lean within your organisation, email: info@lomass.co.uk or visit www.lomass.co.uk. Lean On Me Associates Ltd are a local team of Business Transformation and Process Improvement specialists here to help grow Ayrshire together.

5 GINCREDIBLE AYRSHIRE WOMEN ARE TAKING THE SCOTTISH GIN WORLD BY STORM!

Celebrating their second anniversary on 16 September, the 5 women at Isle of Cumbrae Distillers have a lot to be proud of with an incredible series of achievements and awards in 2 short years.

The team of 5 met as strangers in 2019, with an idea to help raise funds to save Millport’s historic town hall by launching an island gin distillery. After a successful crowdfund - raising £25,000 and many supporters - they opened their doors on 16 Sept 2020 and were one of 3 Scottish distilleries to successfully launch during the pandemic. With no previous association with the food and drinks industry, they have learned everything on their own, from distilling to licensing to marketing. In October 2021 they won the Association of Scottish Businesswomen Most Innovative Start-up and the Ayrshire Businesswomen’s Enterprise of the Year. They are a finalist for the 2022 National Association of Scottish Businesswomen Enterprise of the Year.

Isle of Cumbrae Distillers produces several award-winning gins; Nostalgin, Croc Rock and Restoration Gin. Their newest gin, Maura, launched in June 2022 and is one of 22 finalists for the Scottish Gin Awards, Distilled Gin of the Year. The stunning Maura label, which is heat pressed onto the glass, celebrates the contribution that women have made to the history of Scotland and was designed by distinguished Scottish artist Hope Blamire.

Isle of Cumbrae Distillers offer a fabulous tour that brings to life the fascinating history of gin and showcases the colourful smuggling history of the Clyde and the history of Millport. Tours are one hour and include a gin and tonic, tasting of their gins and a souvenir glass to take home. Their distillery tour has just achieved a 4* rating by Visit Scotland.

www.isleofcumbrae-distillers.com

McCulloch Group wins award for global success

We’re delighted to announce that on Friday 14th October we attended the Ayrshire Business Awards Dinner, where we found out we had won the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Global Player award!

This award recognises the success McCulloch Group has achieved in sustained international growth, by harnessing the opportunity of overseas markets and exports. With recent growth and success seen in overseas markets like Australasia and North America, we’re delighted to see our efforts recognised as we work to continue our international success as an Ayrshire and UK based company.

This year also marks an important milestone for our business, as we celebrate 30 years of McCulloch Group. It was 30 years ago that the company was founded on a desire to do better. Solving problems is at the core of the business, as is innovation – and have been since the very first product, the TRT™, was invented by the McCulloch brothers in a yard, in the small Ayrshire village of Ballantrae.

30 years on, McCulloch Group operates in the UK, Europe, North America, Asia and Australasia, deploying fleets of machines that take on railway maintenance tasks that would otherwise be time consuming, costly, and sometimes dangerous, to carry out manually.

With client names on our roster like New York City Subway, Paris Metro, Network Rail, London Underground and Kiwi Rail – we’re excited for what the next 30 years has in store. Thank you to the team at Ayrshire Chamber and our own McCulloch team for all your hard work and support – this success is thanks to you!

mccullochgroup.com

For some, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a super-indulgent cheeseboard centrepiece with luxury crackers, chutneys and nibbles. It’s often a great conversation piece and the ultimate snacking format for the 12 days of Christmas!

During 2020, customers were calling Geraldo’s in Largs making all sorts of requests. One customer said, “If you sold cheese, you’d be my one-stop shop for everything!” Owner, Toni Dawson, contacted her suppliers immediately and started stocking a small range of Scottish cheeses. In December 2021, Geraldo’s sold over 100 cheese boxes online despite having to take down their website because of staff shortages.

As a member of the Guild of Fine Food, Toni attended a Retail Cheese training course in September with expert cheese writer, Patrick McGuigan. There were some very prestigious

cheese retailers there including I.J. Mellis and House of Bruar. A partnership was quickly formed with I.J. Mellis as a supplier of fine farmhouse and artisan cheese to Geraldo’s, bringing together producers and consumers for mutual benefit. Toni said, “I had no idea there was so much to know about cheese. It’s amazing how one customer’s comment has led to this.”

I.J. Mellis work closely with small-scale

producers and their cheese is expertly matured by their affineurs in Edinburgh guaranteeing quality and great taste. Geraldo’s have revamped their cheese boxes to include a wider selection of cheese along with a simple guide to cheese care and curating the perfect cheeseboard.

The complete range can be purchased in store or online at geraldos.co.uk along with Patrick’s book, The Philosophy of Cheese.

THE WISHING WELL RETREAT IS EXPANDING

Leading a successful Therapy Retreat, Director Lauren has been able to work with clients on a one-to-one basis using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Belief CodingRR. Both have provided great value to clients, fulfilling Wishing Well Retreats’ mission: ‘supporting people to realise that they have a place in the world’. However, Lauren believes that more can be done to further enhance their mission. The ways in which people can be ‘supported to realise that they have a place in this world’ are limitless.

Wishing Well Retreat are opening the doors to ‘Wishing Wellness’, an online learning suite, with interactive face-to-face collections for schools, corporate clients and individuals aiming to increase their skills and knowledge around supporting our own and others’ mental wellness.

Director Lauren says: “One-to-one client work is incredibly rewarding but limited by numerous constraints. The aim of ‘Wishing Wellness’ is to ensure everyone is supported to realise that they have a place in this world. The world is currently in a mental health crisis, so we believe everyone can play their part to support themselves and others.”

Through Wishing Well Retreats’ collection of resources, you can increase your capacity, and ultimately your confidence, to do just that.

Director,

wishingwellretreat.co.uk

THISTLE HELP CONTINUES TO THRIVE

With Thistle Help Limited approaching their 2 year anniversary of their Crosshouse showroom, George and Laura couldn’t be happier with the improved sales and footfall coming through their door.

Having been established in Irvine for 15 years, the company is known for their range of products and high levels of customer service. Their ethos has been to ensure that their Crosshouse showroom mirrors their Irvine operation.

George and Laura felt they needed to invest in the Crosshouse showroom by updating the internal appearance to give it more of a showroom look. With the renovations underway, it will now allow them to display a wider range of riser recliners and adjustable beds.

George said “We feel privileged to be in the situation whereby we can invest in our business when many companies are struggling to keep their doors open”.

Thistle Help have also invested in a new commercial to promote their Crosshouse showroom both on STV and West FM radio.

The decision to rotate the current staff from Irvine to cover their Crosshouse showroom provides a high level of service in both locations.

Laura concluded “We are excited about the future of Thistle Help and we look forward to seeing the growth of Crosshouse in the coming years.”

www.thistlehelp.co.uk

LAUREN YOUNG

Wishing Well Retreat

Active Spinal Care have had a great year this year, with things finally getting back to normal in the aftermath of Covid. Our biggest celebration was the 20 year anniversary of our Practice Manager Hazel Wilson and our Chiropractic Assistant Barbara Bennie. Both women have been the backbone of the profession for 20 years this year and therefore, it was only right to celebrate in style - so, off to Turnberry we went for Afternoon Tea! Delicious! Fantastic day out celebrating this enormous achievement. Well done girls.

During the Festive season, pop in and see us if you’re interested in what we do, to ascertain if we can help you with any musculoskeletal issues. The month of December in our clinic is full of Christmas cheer, with movies in the background, music and maybe even a mince pie.

Our website is filled with information that can help to determine if your condition may be helped with Chiropractic, and a special Christmas offer can also be found there.

activespinalcare.co.uk

ACTIVE SPINAL CARE CELEBRATE 20 YEAR MILESTONE ALBION ENVIRONMENTAL REACHES 20TH ANNIVERSARY!

Sharp highlights transformative future following 110 years of global innovation

Sharp Europe, a major provider of business technology products and services to businesses and organisations across Europe, is setting out its future for further business transformation, as its parent company Sharp Corporation commemorates its 110th anniversary.

Sharp Corporation employs over 49,000 people worldwide and is an expert in both business to business and consumer innovation. Founder, Tokuji Hayakawa, established a metalworking shop in Tokyo, 110 years ago in 1912. Later he invented the “Ever Ready Sharp Pencil,” a twist-type mechanical pencil that would become the origin of the corporate brand.

Sharp Corporation has since established itself as a worldwide developer

of technological solutions that have played a key role in shaping the electronics industry.

Rob Tung, President, Sharp Europe, says, “Whilst we mark this moment and reflect on the amazing innovations across the world, we are looking forward to even more business transformation and growth here in Europe.”

www.sharp.co.uk

Albion Environmental reached their 20th Anniversary in 2022 and have celebrated throughout the year with staff events and fundraising challenges, to get the team together for some friendly competition.

Over the last 20 years, Director Alasdair Meldrum has expanded the business, taking on the first official employee in 2005, and now operating with a core team of 12. The business has grown from a micro waste management consultancy to a leading team of experts offering services across the waste and resource management, environmental and health & safety industries.

Albion Environmental has been part of the Ayrshire community for the 20 years and would like to extend a thank you to all those who have shown support or helped them deliver their services since 2002.

www.albion-environmental.co.uk

COSHNIVEN BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO A HI-FI ICON

Michell Engineering is the oldest, continual production turntable company in the world and one of the most recognised and respected brands in the HiFi industry.

However, the high-end audio marketplace has changed drastically since the company's foundation. To remain relevant and noticeable in today's digital world, the brand needed to refocus and discover new ways to make sales whilst maintaining its traditional dealer network.

CoshNiven was called in to help.

They started by studying how consumers purchase high-end audio products globally and carried out deep competitor analysis. This knowledge allowed CoshNiven to define new routes to market, which work in tandem with existing distributors and dealers.

CoshNiven then turned our attention to how the brand is perceived by its audience and learned that the word 'engineering' didn't fit well within the luxury lifestyle product sector. So they redesigned the company's entire identity to position it squarely in the high-end audio sector.

Once the rebrand was complete, a salesled website was built allowing customers to purchase upgrades and accessories directly whilst keeping the sales of core products available solely from Michell dealers.

Michell's entire social footprint also needed revamping. Focussing only on Facebook and Instagram, CoshNiven built an online fan community by encouraging engagement with customer photo galleries and experiences.

The fruits of CoshNiven's involvement have been fast and plentiful.

The new branding has been well received

globally, and engagement has increased beyond what was initially expected. But, most importantly, the brand is now highly evident across all of its audiences' platforms, and sales have rocketed.

www.michellaudio.com

AYRSHIRE CANCER SUPPORT CELEBRATE MILESTONE YEAR

Ayrshire Cancer Support are delighted to have received the prestigious Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service in recognition of its vital work across the community. This award is the highest a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

The accolade is the icing on the cake on its own celebrations as the charity celebrates 40 years of providing services. Ayrshire Cancer Support started out as a patient transport service back in 1982 and has evolved over the years into the vital community support network it is today.

The charity provides emotional and practical help to those affected by cancer in Ayrshire, with a team dedicated to improving the quality of life to those living with cancer by making sure help is readily available to all who need it throughout the area.

In addition to the free patient transport service, Ayrshire Cancer Support offer a range of free therapeutic services, support groups and counselling and complementary therapies to those in need, as well as specialised and tailored services to children and young people aged 5-25 years old.

Chief Executive Officer Sandra McCall said, “To be granted an award like this is a wonderful privilege and shows that every second, every minute, and every mile our team spends supporting others in need is being noticed up and down the country at even the highest levels.

We hope it means others take notice of our work and encourages them to support our efforts in any way possible.”

www.ayrshirecs.org

Dear Chamber Member

Two years ago, we wrote an open letter in this magazine offering assistance to companies experiencing a sales downturn caused by the pandemic. It helped dozens of companies keep sales flowing throughout lockdown.

We are heading into difficult times again due to rising inflation and energy prices. Again, your sales will be at risk.

In times of economic stress, it is normal for businesses to cut their marketing effort to reduce costs, but this has been repeatedly proven to have the opposite effect. Reducing or ending your marketing effort will quickly reduce or end your sales.

The only way to maintain sales is to maintain your marketing effort. However, that doesn’t mean you need a massive marketing spend!

CoshNiven are experts in converting marketing spend into tangible results.

Stephen Cosh and Graeme Niven have been responsible for marketing hundreds of Ayrshire companies over the last 25 years. This partnership consistently delivers increased sales and heightened brand awareness through solid strategy, planning and clever communications.

To help you through the coming recession, we are offering a free marketing consultation where we will explore your current marketing activities, the strength of your brand and give you free advice on how to improve them.

It costs nothing to talk, so call Graeme Ferguson today on 01292 441 788, and we’ll do our best to ensure your sales stay on track.

Yours optimistically,

Niven Director Director

Alloway Mill Studios, 57 Greenfield Avenue, Ayr KA7 4NX 01292 441 788 info@coshniven.com www.coshniven.com

Stephen Cosh

Graeme

Celebrating Ayrshire

The 2022 Ayrshire Business Awards Gala Dinner was held on 14th October at the fabulous Ayr Racecourse, sponsored by Business Gateway - Ayrshire.

Guests were treated to a delicious 3-course meal and entertainment from the exceptional 'Infinity Allstars' dance troupe, 'ABBA Dreams' tribute, and endless comedy from our ever capable host, Robbie Duncan.

The night also saw the announcement of all 9 of this year's award winners. Congratulations to all our 2022 winners, and well done to all our 27 finalists.

Ayrshire Chamber would also like to thank all of our gracious 2022 Ayrshire Business Awards sponsors.

Thank you to Business Gateway - Ayrshire for their support as the 2022 Awards Principal Sponsor.

With thanks to our awards sponsors: Auchrannie Resort; Booth Welsh; Business Gateway - Ayrshire; Clearview Intelligence; GSK; Microtech Group, University of the West of Scotland, and Woodward AES Prestwick.

Thanks also go to our Icecream sponsor, Arran Dairies and 'Table Gift' sponsor, Arran: Sense of Scotland.

And, finally, thank you to Ryan Oldfather at RCO Furniture for designing and handcrafting each of our beautiful 2022 trophies!

With thanks to Alistair G Firth for the photographs on the night.

GLOBAL PLAYER AWARD McCulloch Group

COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD River Garden Auchincruive

FUTURE STARS CHAMPION AWARD Accountant in Bankruptcy

PLANET SAVER AWARD

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

The event, hosted by Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also raised a whopping £3,138 for local charity, The Night Before Christmas Campaign, through a charity raffle on the night.

Thank you to all of the fantastic local businesses that donated prizes for the raffle, and to everyone who entered the raffle on the night.

We would also like to thank Robbie Duncan, our host at the awards dinner, for graciously donating to The Night Before Christmas Campaign following the Awards Gala Dinner.

Moving on Up: IT provider, Innovec, invests in new premises for their growing team

Following four years of growth in revenue, customer base and staff headcount, local IT support and telecoms provider, Innovec, has moved to a new, purpose-designed office in Marathon House, Dundonald, to drive the next phase of business.

Since opening in 2009, Innovec has always been based in Ayrshire. Their team of 11 staff are all Ayrshire born and bred, as are many of their 200+ customers. Specialists in supporting both growing and established owner-managed and family-run businesses, it is important to the company to remain local and ensure they continue to be best-placed to

Iain Wham, Innovec’s Managing Director, commented:

deliver the levels of service and personalised approach they are known for.

Moving from Ayr, after three extremely happy years in Miller Road, to the new premises in Dundonald represents a significant investment for Innovec. This move will see the company proactively build on their current infrastructure to drive the growth of their team. By continuing to invest in the best local talent, Innovec will ultimately enhance the level of service they provide, as well as allowing them to take on more customers and bigger projects.

It’s a great move forward for our business. Going from working with just one member of staff a few years ago to now needing space for a team of 11 is quite surreal for me, but really it speaks to the hard work the team do every day.

Since launching the business, I have always tried to keep four things in focus when looking to grow: team, customers, partners and community. It is important that these are reflected in everything we do, and this can be seen from investing in the best local talent when expanding our team, to working with companies that share the same principles in their approach to business.

On that note, and in-line with the theme of “Celebrating Ayrshire”, I’d like to thank our customers. We always take great pride in seeing local businesses that we work with flourish and hopefully our customers can feel the same knowing they helped us get to where we are today.

SUPPORTING BUSINESSES THAT DRIVE AYRSHIRE

IT SUPPORT FOR LOCAL,GROWING BUSINESSES

From our apprentices to our Senior Engineers, all of our team are from Ayrshire. We always source the best local talent for our team!

Innovec specialises in working with local, owner managed & family run businesses. As an owner managed business ourselves, we understand the challenges you face and like all of our customers above, we have grown our business by focusing on our Team, Customers, Partners and Community.

Arena HR Ltd opened back in February 2016 with the vision to be the Go To Place for Ayrshire businesses for all their HR needs. Through word of mouth and public sector tender wins, Arena has grown very quickly over the last 6 years. In September this year, they received a call from a high growth Swedish business who were looking for an HR business partner to fulfil their HR needs in the UK. This International element of the business will develop over the coming months with calls lined up already with other international high grown businesses.

Working with High Growth businesses is Arena HR’s speciality; really caring for and protecting the business and the employees within is what sets Arena HR apart from other HR Consultancies.

Founder & MD Laura Rennie stated “From March 2020 we saw a huge increase in our client base as organisations struggled with Furlough entitlements, change management processes and the ever changing employment law landscape.  Our client base continues to grow as Hybrid Working challenges are further realised. As businesses return to their 'normal' working arrangements, different issues become apparent with an increase in poor mental health having a wide impact.  As such we see more clients looking for our guidance and our services”.

Not only have Arena grown internationally they have also developed the services they offer by creating a Training Academy where senior

leaders can develop their People Management & Leadership skills. They have also rolled out an interactive Staff App to their current client base.

With the return of their successful event the Entrepreneurial Experience Share where

LAURA RENNIE MD, Arena HR

Bring Your Whole Self to Work

QTS GROUP CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

ALAN MCLEISH MD, QTS Group

QTS Group recently celebrated 30 years of working on the UK’s railways. The Drumclog based rail contractor started from humble beginnings when managing director Alan McLeish set out on his own to build a business as a tree surgeon with just a £300 loan from his mother. The company has grown into one of the country’s leading railways contractors.

Celebrations were held in each of their seven offices across the UK with every member of staff receiving a letter of thanks and commemorative coin to mark the milestone. MD Alan McLeish gave a short speech to staff at the Drumclog HQ to further thank the staff that have helped build the company into what it is today. On the importance of staff Mr McLeish said:

“For me, the importance of investing in staff cannot be overestimated and QTS has long been an advocate for training and developing workforces to build, attract, and retain the best talent.”

Several staff members reflected on their time at QTS and seeing the Rench Farm office grow from a single building with a few portacabins to the sprawling HQ you can see today.

For further information on QTS visit www.qtsgroup.com

To hear from Alan and other members of staff about what it has meant to be part of the QTS family visit QTS Group on YouTube.

As a multi-discipline railway contractor, QTS provides specialist services in: Vegetation Management, Drainage Services, Fencing, Training, Civil Engineering, Earthworks, Geotechnical Services, Electrification, Industrial Rope Access and Specialist Plant Fleet Hire.

Flaming Exterior Cleaning win for second year in a row at Prestige Awards

Ayr based business, Flamingo Exterior Cleaning, have fought off stiff competition from companies in Glasgow and Edinburgh to win 'Best Exterior Cleaning Company' for the second year running at the Prestige Awards 2022. Flamingo were selected by the panel of judges because of their commitment to customer service, for taking steps to become greener, utilising new technology and for contributions to the local community.

Director Robin Barclay stated, “We've been humbled by the feedback and support from our clients and other local businesses. We can't thank everyone enough. We couldn't do it without our amazing team as well and this award really belongs to them for their continued hard work and dedication'. He added, 'We're committed to bringing a premium level of service to our industry in Ayrshire, reducing our carbon footprint and supporting local initiatives and helping grassroots development in local sports teams through sponsorship'. Fellow director Malcolm Bennett said, 'I'm ecstatic. To bring this award back to Ayrshire after what the last few years have been like. Thank you so much to all our amazing clients and our team.”

flamingoexteriorcleaning.co.uk

Utopia

Kilmarnock-based tech firm Utopia Computers has collected two prestigious national awards. Its dedication to service and innovation is not going unnoticed. The business, whose HQ is on Kilmarnock's High Glencairn Street, has collected an award for the Best Computer Manufacturer and the UK’s best Reseller of Technology at two separate awards ceremonies earlier this

Kilmarnock-based tech firm Utopia Computers has collected two prestigious national awards. Its dedication to service and innovation is not going unnoticed. The business, whose HQ is on Kilmarnock's High Glencairn Street, has collected an award for the Best Computer Manufacturer and the UK’s best Reseller of Technology at two separate awards ceremonies earlier this month.

This is the 5th time that Utopia has collected the Computer Manufacturer award, making them the most successful tech business in the UK fighting for success in this category.

"We continually show that we have what it takes to prove that we deliver to our customers the best service, best products and just as important that we are a socially aware company, being the first business in Ayrshire Living Wage

employer, we have a great pedigree," said Craig Hume, director at Utopia.

"My team have taken Utopia from a small computer repair store to a nationally respected PC manufacturer over the last couple of years, and for their hard work, I am forever grateful.", Hume continued.

Utopia Computers offers local customers a full range of IT services. They also manufacture their brand of laptops, desktops and workstations that they sell to clients all over the UK.

utopiacomputers.co.uk

Computers’ innovation is rewarded with prestigious award

Launch Digital Celebrate 10th Year Anniversary!

Creative marketing agency, Launch Digital are celebrating their 10th year in business this year.

Since its inception in 2012, the agency has grown alongside their many long-standing local and international clients. Launch re-branded in 2014 but remain a small, client-focused, family business. The size of the team at Launch allows them to offer a quality, personal, approachable service to all clients which they believe works best in the creative industry. In 2017 the team expanded their services to Glasgow and acquired a new office on Bothwell Street, to allow them to grow their list of Glasgow clients.

Launch work with over 700 clients in a range of different sectors. They have launched over 500 websites and are proud of their creative portfolio in the many services they provide: including branding,

web design, graphic design, social media, and search marketing.

The team at Launch would like to thank all their clients, partners, sponsorship connections and

everyone who has supported the agency over the past 10 years, and the team look forward to many more years of providing rocket fuel for businesses.

Launch Digital: www.launchscotland.com

WILLIAM DUNCAN + CO LOOK FORWARD TO BRIGHT FUTURE WITH DAINS ACCOUNTANTS

Top Ayrshire accountancy William Duncan + Co have announced that they have been acquired by Dains Accountants, propelling them towards becoming one of the Top 30 firms in the UK.

One of Scotland’s oldest accountancy firms with offices in Glasgow, Ayr, and Kilmarnock, their business has grown strongly in recent years, buoyed by a commitment to the use of technology, alongside high quality personal and tailored relationships.

Richard McNeilly, CEO of Dains said ‘We have followed the progress of William Duncan for several years and it became increasingly clear that their approach to client delivery and people development closely aligned to ours. As a long established firm in Scotland, we believe they are ideal partners to spearhead our growth, North of the border’.

Robert Ferguson, Managing Director of William Duncan believes the transaction provides the business with an improved client proposition and potential for growth and commented ‘Overnight we have improved the range of services available to our clients and this deal enables William Duncan to become a challenger firm in Scotland. We have an ambitious plan, and all of our team will remain in the business. In fact, I have no hesitation in saying that we have no shortage of opportunities for progressive professionals wishing to join a group that really values its’ people’.

Luke Kingston, Partner at Horizon Capital, said “This is the third transaction completed by Dains, since our investment in December last year. William Duncan is a high-quality firm with expertise in agriculture and the medical sector. We are attracted to the business by the quality of its’ client base, the client delivery team, and a solid track record of profitable growth, which complements Dains perfectly’.

williamduncan.co.uk

An evolving force in accountancy

Ayr Estate & Letting Agents have struck gold by winning the British Property Award for Letting Agents in Ayr.

AYR ESTATE & LETTING AGENTS STRIKE GOLD AYRSHIRE MARINA SCOOP NATIONAL AWARD

The Parkhouse Street based agent performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging period, which focused on customers services levels delivered by their team, and they will now be shortlisted for a number of national awards.

The British Property Awards is recognised as one of the most inclusive estate agency awards, judging over 90% of agents meeting the criteria at a local level. Its team mystery shops every agent against a set of 25 criteria to comprehensively judge customer service levels.

Agents who go that extra mile and provide outstanding levels of customer service are rewarded with the accolade, which acts as a beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace.

Alan Lavelle, Director at Ayr Estate & Letting Agents, commented: “We are delighted that the outstanding work of our team has been recognised again with this prestigious award. Everyone should be extremely proud to have maintained such high levels of customer service.

Established in 2016 by Alan the company has grown year on year and developed into one of the leading Estate & Letting Agents in Ayr. 2022 has been a year of rapid growth for the company with the acquisition of Secure Lettings who had been based in North Ayrshire, and by winning The British Property award this has further highlighted the hard work of a company heading in the right direction.

www.ayrestateagents.co.uk

The award for the Ayrshire marina comes after a sustained period of investment in new facilities including a berth holder lounge, upgraded laundrette and the opening of the new marina hotel, The Salt Lodge.

The investment, which totals over £1.4million, has seen rewards with the marina reporting an increase in berth holders as well as national and international recognition including the prestigious Five Gold Anchor recognition and a Scottish Parliamentary Motion of commendation.

“It’s a real honour to receive this award from The Yacht Harbour Association”, comments Marina Director Stephen Bennie. “It’s been a rewarding year with new customers visiting our marina and increased occupancy at our hotel, The Salt Lodge.”

Stephen continues, “What makes this award extra special is that it was voted for by boat owners around the UK. This gives us the validation that the investments we’ve made in new services and facilities have been well-received by our market, and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who voted for us.”

www.yachthavens.com/troon-yacht-haven

Perfect

Troon Yacht Haven has been awarded runner up in the Marina Of The Year 2022 awards.

Ayrshire Discount Golf balls are smoking it straight down the fairway at the moment after a record breaking summer! With the addition of freshly recruited staff, a new custom built golf ball sorting ‘contraption’ (a real tongue-twister!), as well as driving ambition, growth has been exponential. The sporting goods business are now well on their way to their main objective, becoming a household name in the golfing world.

What’s more, the team were delighted to win the ‘Golf Retailer of The Year’ for 2022/23 as voted by Prestige Awards in Edinburgh. This came after a nomination from a loyal customer followed by excellent feedback from the judging panel’s research and investigations. The venture’s charitable link with Whiteley’s Retreat who they have donated over £4,500 to, plus the company's fun and engaging social media style along with the tenet of sustainability, were highlighted as key reasons in proving worthy winners.

It has truly been a great season for the lockdown start-up as the company strive towards their goal of making golf more affordable and accessible across the UK. And there are no plans to slow down as they prepare to lay the groundwork for next year when up to 3000 golf balls could pass in and out of the warehouse per day.

Head to www.ayrshiregolfballs.com balls at up to 80% off the cost of buying new. Use code PRESTIGE15 to get 15% off your order!

S

r v e y D e s i g n C o n s u l t a r e f o r w a r d - t h i n k i n g p r o j e c t d e l i v e r y c o n s u l t a n t s w h o h a v e a v a s t a r r a y o f k n o w l e d g e a c r o s s d i f f e r e n t i n d u s t r i e s a n d h a v e d e l i v e r e d s o m e o f t h e U K ’ s m o s t h i g h p r o f i l e p r o j e c t s . O u r c o m p a n y p r i d e s i t s e l f o n p r o v i d i n g e f f i c i e n t e n g i n e e r i n g d e s i g n s o l u t i o n s t a i l o r e d t o e a c h c l i e n t ’ s i n d i v i d u a l r e q u i r e m e n t s

GSK CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS

DYW Curricular Connections are hosted by local businesses to give an insight into their particular sector and the career paths available. With teachers, college lecturers, and careers advisors in mind these sessions have been designed to help relate the curriculum to the world of work. The first of these events, post pandemic, was organised in partnership with GSK and was held as a virtual event. With over 30 influencers in attendance, they learned about the upcoming apprenticeship programme and the opportunities available at the GSK Irvine site. With time to ask any questions, this gave those who participated a great awareness into the entry requirements, and what the application process looks like at GSK. We look forward to our next Curricular Connections!

BAE SYSTEMS STEM ROADSHOW – THURSDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2022

What an AMAZING OPPORTUNITY for pupils in two North Ayrshire Secondary Schools!

The young people from S1 & S2 year groups at Ardrossan Academy and Auchenharvie Academy were delighted to take part in a hugely ENGAGING, INTERACTIVE, and FUN STEM workshop session with the BAE Systems Roadshow Team; delivered in partnership with The RAF and The Royal Navy. The purpose of the session was to challenge preconceptions and inspire young people to take a keen interest in STEM subjects. The BAE Systems Team is in their 18th year of delivering an education Roadshow to promote interest in STEM learning for BAE Systems. The team unfortunately had to put things on hold after the spring term of 2020 as a consequence of COVID, but they returned this year with great gusto, to deliver a presentation centred on the topic of magnesium. Each year the Team produces a new roadshow exploring topics that are included in the Curriculum for Excellence.

Historically, the team has only toured the Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick areas in Scotland, but this year, at the request of The RAF and The Royal Navy, they were able to travel further up the country. It was suggested by their partner organisations to engage with DYW Ayrshire to identify schools that would really benefit from this type of superb offering. The DYW Ayrshire Team was delighted to be able to facilitate the BAE Systems STEM Roadshow, and we look forward to their next visit!

WORK EXPERIENCE

We recently welcomed Sophie, an S4 pupil from Doon Academy to the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce office for her weeklong work placement. Throughout the week Sophie assisted both the Chamber team and the DYW team with tasks relating to our Ayrshire Business Week. Sophie attended the B2B exhibition and was able to speak to some of the businesses about career opportunities for the future. Thank you Sophie for your hard work and thanks to our host organisation Ayrshire Chamber for a great event.

MERCK CURIOSITY CUBE

Life Sciences Company, Merck who have a site in Irvine, toured across Europe throughout the Summer with their purpose built ‘Curiosity Cube’ used to promote careers in the science sector.

The Curiosity Cube visited four schools in North, South and East Ayrshire along the way. This interactive tool aimed at young people aged 8-13 taught pupils about their unique microbiomes and the important role it played on their overall health through three different experiments. All experiments were led by Merck employees, allowing visitors to meet reallife scientists and learn firsthand about STEM careers. There were no doubts about the ‘curiosity’ this sparked in over 200 young people in Ayrshire.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for the opportunity given to me to have my work experience at the Ayrshire Chambers of Commerce. In was an incredible experience and I’ve greatly enjoyed getting insight and learning about every aspect of the business. I’ve also been given lots of opportunities and insight to possible future career paths, and the skills I’ve learned I’ll be sure to use in the near future.

Thank you again for being so kind and welcoming, you’ve made my experience all the better. Sophie, Doon Academy

BUSINESS WEEK – B2B EXHIBITION

Business Week launched on October 10th 2022 with members of the DYW Ayrshire team attending a programme of events throughout the week.

The B2B Exhibition was held at the Park Hotel in Kilmarnock with over 60 businesses in attendance. this year our DYW Stand theme was Top Gun. Employers were able to collect their boarding pass to DYW Ayrshire, fuel up at our fuelling station, enter our danger zone or strike a pose at our photo booth with some props including aviator glasses. They could also enter their business cards into our ‘ring of fire’ to be in with the chance of winning a prize.

Our engaging stand was attractive to many. On the day, we were busy networking to build new relationships with employers and we look forward to working with them going forward.

Teachers and pupils from Lockhart Campus

Introduction

Lockhart Campus provides an exceptional learning environment for learners who require additional support across their educational journey. The school has a supportive and nurturing ethos to help ensure our students experience success and achieve their potential in school, the wider community and as they prepare for their future lives in the community.

joined us at the exhibition with a stand that showcased their skills and talents regarding items they’ve created through their school projects funded by DYW Ayrshire. These projects are essentially small businesses within a school and by providing funding, we are supporting young people to gain skills in particular sectors e.g., horticulture and beekeeping that can be transferred to future employment. Pupils also learn additional skills including team working, communication, budgeting, planning, problem solving and much more. On the day, the teachers were able to network with businesses and encourage support and the pupil's made sales on the products they made including honey, soap, candles, lip balms, bird houses, garden decorations and more. The pupils were able to talk employers through the processes of creating some of their products and show off the hard work they’ve done. All money made from sales is put back into the projects and we look forward to seeing what’s created next. We are delighted by the support both stands received on the day of the event.

customer service and above all, their confidence.

We have been proud to observe our students thrive in resilience and determination and we have noticed a significant increase in their selfesteem and their motivation to learn and develop a wide range of transferrable skills in preparation for life and opportunities beyond school.

Pupil Success Story 2022

much calmer and more grounded which in turn has also helped him to concentrate more in classes. His confidence started to grow, and he developed leadership skills within the team which allowed him to take more initiative when carrying out tasks. He expressed an extremely poignant comment:

The school's projects “Lockhart Campus Growers, Bee Kind Beekeeping and Lockhart Coffee Shop Barista” are funded by Developing Young Workforce Ayrshire (DYW). Each of these has formed an important vocational provision our students. The Lockhart Campus innovative projects provide our students with a hands-on approach to learning, which helps develop their communication skills, commitment,

J has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Anxiety. He demonstrated poor engagement, low motivation and struggled with selfconfidence.

When he opted to take part with DYW, Lockhart Growers Project, we did not fully anticipate the positive impact it would have. Working with his hands enables him to feel

“I need to work outdoors to help with my mental health because sitting in a room speaking about my anxiety isn't working”.

Since our launch of our Lockhart Growers, J has expressed his unique craftsmanship ideas. He has become curious about inventing a new garden tool which will be multifunctional and look great hanging in your garden. He has all the values of becoming Lockhart Campus’s first entrepreneur. Watch this space!

There are currently over 100 recognised Young Person’s Guarantee employers across Ayrshire, but we know there are a lot more out there. If you are already developing your own young workforce, employing apprentices, engaging with schools or making positive steps to help young people into the world of work, why not make the pledge and have your business recognised. To be recognised as a YPG employer is completely free and easy to do – there are 5 ‘Asks’ within the pledge and a business only needs to meet one of these 5 Asks to be recognised.

Special recognition in this quarterly edition goes out to all the employers who have renewed their pledge since August:

• Dillon Bookkeeping

• Woodward AES Prestwick

• Ballochmyle Golf Club

• J & D Pierce Contracts Ltd

• Brownings the Baker

• Richard Healey Removals Limited

• Begg x Co

• Trump Turnberry

• RT Resources

• Chivas Brothers (Beith)

• Community Gift Exchange SCIO

If you would like to be recognised as a Young Persons Guarantee employer or know more about Developing the Young Workforce –Ayrshire, please get in touch with Wilson Barrie wbarrie@ayrshire-chamber.org

YOUNG PERSON’S GUARANTEE

Read Alex Begg’s story as recognised Young Person’s Guarantee Employers:

“At Alex Begg we produce products for the world’s most prestigious fashion houses and brands as well as our own exquisite designs for our brand Begg x Co. Our exceptional design-led approach sets us apart from other luxury weavers. Whether you want to turn an existing design into a woven work of art, or you need help creating an entire collection of accessories from scratch, our creative team of craftspeople can assist with projects. Our name has been synonymous with quality since our inception in 1866.

With a workforce of just under 200, there is a real community feel among staff members. We invest heavily in our people not only to develop their skills but to make sure Alex Begg is a great place to work. At Alex Begg we pride ourselves on continuously improving as a company, offering employees the opportunity to cross-skill and gain experience in multiple disciplines to encourage individual growth as well as cross-departmental interactions. All this aims to equip colleagues with knowledge, skills and behaviours to unlock their full potential. Our experienced workforce is always supportive of our younger team members and take pride in sharing their years of knowledge and experience to allow them to grow and develop their craft skills.

We have a focus on supporting local young people and careers at Alex Begg through relationships with local schools, offering tours for students to increase their appreciation of what employment opportunities exist in a mill, work experience as well as WorkOut Placements to combine education and work. 2022 sees us welcome 5 apprentices with the existing team members being key in selecting the right young people to ensure our future growth and success.

We enjoyed the opportunity to work with Kyle Academy Fashion and Textile students to encourage their creative projects and provide reusable materials to enhance their sustainable projects. The Worshipful Weaving Institute has always been a keen supporter of Alex Begg and allow us to bring in young design talent to the team.

Our work with young people goes beyond our workplace including our relationship with Whiteleys Retreat who offer an invaluable respite service to young people and their families. Our team are passionate about raising funds and giving back to Whiteleys.

We have ambition to further work with young people in our communities and offer opportunity in our workplace as we recognise, they are key to our future success and business growth.”

AYRSHIRE APPRENTICESHIP CHALLENGE WINNERS CROWNED AT AYRSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2022

The Ayrshire Apprenticeship Challenge 2022 took place between April and August, with 8 teams entering the competition. Teams are tasked with creating and delivering a project that benefits the community and this year our teams didn’t disappoint.

Three teams made it to our Semi-Final in September: Collins Aerospace, Shire Housing and Spirit AeroSystems – each completing a portfolio detailing their community challenge and delivering a presentation in front of our Judges from Ayrshire College, Skills Development Scotland and the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce.

COLLINS AEROSPACE PROJECT:

Apprentices from Collins Aerospace chose to support Community Gift Exchange (CGX). This charity is within their local community near their facility in Monkton and provides a positive method to recycle and upcycle donated items such as bikes and furniture through the help of their volunteers. The CGX workshop was previously in an

SHIRE HOUSING PROJECT:

Apprentice Jayden McWilliam from Shire Housing came up with a cost-of-living crisis open day event with the main goal of creating a positive impact on the community and to assist people with the cost-of-living crisis.

This event was free to attend and people could get assistance and advice from a number of different organisations. Jayden was responsible

SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS PROJECT:

The Spirit AeroSystems team helped further develop aspects of Aoife’s Sensory Bus by designing and building a box that stored sensory equipment and headphones for children.

Aoife’s Sensory Bus is a local charity in Monkton that has transformed a generic stagecoach bus into a safe and fun place where children go and play with others,

Next years challenge will be launched early in 2023 and we look forward to the projects the teams come up with next year. If you would

All in all, three great projects with a community benefit at heart. After the portfolios were scored, the apprentices gave a presentation in front of judges and other teams that was also scored and provided the final element to choose an overall winner. A ’Best Presentation’ prize was given to Jayden McWilliam from Shire Housing on the day for an outstanding delivery on stage of his project. Collins Aerospace scored the highest of all teams involved and were chosen by unanimous decision of the judges as the overall winner of the Ayrshire

unorganised state, with no standard work practice or production flow throughout. This made it difficult for the volunteers to work safely, effectively and learn new skills.

On visiting the workshop and experiencing this, the Collins team decided to refurbish the workshop to create a better workflow and linkage. They worked with the charity’s volunteers to make the space as practical as possible, measuring equipment to create storage and organising materials.

Apprenticeship Challenge 2022. The team were presented with their award at the Ayrshire Business Awards Gala Dinner and all enjoyed a great evening of food and entertainment.

DYW Ayrshire would like to thank all the teams involved this year and congratulate the Collins Aerospace team on winning this years Ayrshire Apprenticeship Challenge. We would also like to thank our partners, Skills Development Scotland and the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce for their support.

for the entire event including planning, invitations, location, marketing, as well as being responsible for the wide variety of organisations available on the day to support attendees seeking advice.

Jayden was successful in organising an important event that was well-received by the local community that had a positive impact on the people that attended.

decompress and reduce stimulation, or increase stimulation dependant on the individual needs.

The apprentices from Spirit raised money by selling football scratch cards for materials they required for the bus and donated the remaining money to the charity. The storage box was a hit and well received by the children who use the bus regularly.

would like to get involved, please email Wilson Barrie – DYW Ayrshire for more information wbarrie@ayrshire-chamber.org

Amee Ritchie and Jake Elliot-Hook, S’wheat

BREAK THE SILENCE – CHARITY TRANSITIONS INTO HYBRID MODEL

Services continued to be offered to support those impacted by sexual trauma in East & North Ayrshire

In response to the covid-19 pandemic, Break The Silence has transitioned their vital support for people affected by sexual trauma from in-person support to a hybrid model, and have been delivering services remotely since March 2020.

Founded in 2004, Break The Silence is a charity providing a range of tailored, professional support options for people affected by sexual trauma, aged 13 years and above in East and North Ayrshire. Around 480 people are supported by the charity every year.

As part of covid recovery plans, and in response to demand for flexible services, the charity has now embraced a hybrid model: offering clients the choice of face-to-face, in person support through outreach venues, or through remote support, i.e., telephone counselling, virtual counselling, virtual eye movement de-sensitisation and re-processing (EMDR), and virtual group sessions.

This change in service delivery combined with the spiralling costs as a result of the cost-of-living crisis has prompted the charity to take the prudent decision to move from their College Wynd premises, ensuring best allocation and utilisation of their resources.

Services continue as before with no interruption. Telephone calls continue to be received on our current telephone number 01563 559558. Emails can be

AYRSHIRE MEDIA SERVICES HITS MILESTONE EDITIONS

Ayrshire Media Services recently reached two milestone publications. Troon’s Going Out, which was founded in the 1997, reached its 300th edition. The 100th issue of Alloway & Doonfoot’s Going Out, founded in March 2014, was published in August. Prestwick’s Going Out will reach its 200th edition in December. All three publications are distributed to households for free in their respective areas every month, reaching a total of 20,000 homes.

The company was initially founded by Tony Ferrara, and has changed hands twice since, and is now owned by local couple Craig Mackay and Jennifer Dunn. The team in Troon work closely with Kilmarnock printers Cann Print, and use a network as local distributors – often giving youngsters their first step into employment.

The publications were initially conceived as a guide to events and venues. However, over the years the publications have changed to include contributions from a wide variety of local organisations, including sports teams, organisations to help both old and young people, community councils, churches, social clubs and more, as well as local elected representatives.

received through our usual email address: info@breakthesilence.org.uk with information and referrals online through our website: www.breakthesilence. org.uk Our new registered address is: Break the Silence, 11 Portland Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 2BT. www.breakthesilence.org.uk

Jennifer Dunn, editor of the Going Out series, said, “It’s been a challenging two years. However we’ve stuck to our core mission of providing positive ultra-local news and providing people with information on organisations they can join and get support from in their local area, and encouraging them to use local shops and services; the Going Outs have remained very popular as a result.”

“We’d like to thank all our staff, advertisers, contributors and suppliers over the years, for helping us to continue our mission of supplying free, positive local news to the communities we cover, supporting local businesses and community spirit.”

For more information contact Ayrshire Media Services on 01292 319 391 or info@ ayrshiremedia.com

www.ayrshiremedia.com

L-R : SHARON BELSHAW, LESLEY CRAIG Co-CEOs, Break The Silence

We don’t simply collect waste - we transform it!

At Enva we are committed to recycling and resource recovery; it forms the basis of our business strategy and our values. We recover a broad range of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials for re-use in manufacturing and energy conversion. Our dedication to developing new and innovative products, closed-loop recycling solutions and extending the life cycle of the world’s resources is driving our business forward.

Whether it’s producing recycled glass cullet for new bottles, aggregates for the construction industry or energy from waste oil, very little of what we collect is sent to landfill. Our continual investment in research and development allows us to recover even more waste materials from a host of consumer, commercial and industrial sources. We also provide a complete portfolio of industrial, water and waste water services.

Enva can support the drive to lower your company’s carbon footprint and achieve your zero waste to landfill ambitions. As a trusted partner Enva experts advise companies across all sectors in reducing residual waste and CO2 supporting sustainable goals.

• Over 1m tonnes of recovered materials and products produced in 2020/21

• 96.4% of waste diverted from landfill (94% FY2019/20)

• 346,000 tonnes of CO2 avoided saving 10x more carbon than we produce (8x saving in 2020)

For an initial discussion on how Enva can transform your waste, contact our team. For a call back at a time to suit your business email marketing@enva.com, visit enva.com or call 01294 315 200 - we’d be happy to transform your waste!

REFLECTING ON 2022 - A REWARDING AND EXCITING YEAR FOR RCO FURNITURE

Owner Ryan Oldfather is native to Ayrshire where he studied Construction and Manufacturing Design. Having worked abroad in Catalonia, where he was inspired by Barcelona’s art and architecture, he discovered the potential of the resin process, and brought his contemporary ideas to the Scottish market, returning to Ayrshire following Brexit. Ryan wanted to create a range of wood and resin products that reflected the natural beauty of Scotland’s scenery, influenced by the colours and themes of Gaudi, merging the traditional with the contemporary.

The business expanded its stockists beyond Ayrshire, including key tourist areas within Scotland. RCO Furniture now has put craftwork from Ayrshire on the map with repeat orders from Skye, Braemar, Mull, Port Appin, Arran and Luss/Loch Lomond gift shops.

2022 highlights: designing and handcrafting this year's Ayrshire Chamber awards Trophies. Working with former CEO Val Russell, Ryan captured the spirit of the new Chamber award, incorporating a design symbolic of a flame flickering upwards, celebrating the success of the finalists. It was a special moment to see Val's enthusiasm, on the night, for the final product. Ryan places a high emphasises on personalised and bespoke high-quality products

"No two pieces that are produced are exactly the same because they are individually handcrafted. It was a really exciting challenge to translate this bespoke approach into the Trophies. The feedback from the Chamber awards has been extraordinary and it feels like there is a market for corporate handcrafted design because it can capture and communicate the spirit of the organisation in a really positive way.”

RCO

www.rcofurniture.com

ROBERT BURNS BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM IS THE BUSINESS

The National Trust for Scotland is celebrating after its Robert Burns Birthplace Museum picked up a coveted award at this year’s Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

The museum, dedicated to the life and works of the Scottish Bard, picked up the prestigious Planet Saver title at the 2022 ceremony after impressing the judges with their work to ensure the museum is environmentally friendly and sustainable.

The museum was built with sustainability at its

heart to limit its impact on the environment through the installation of a green roof and ground source heat pump. The work continues into the garden where staff have reduced the use of harmful pesticides and improved lawn and hedge management. Future plans include better composting facilities to reduce waste levels and improve the garden’s soil condition and replacing power tools with rechargeable battery alternatives.

Caroline Smith, National Trust for Scotland’s Operations Manager for Robert Burns Birthplace

Museum, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for our efforts to help protect the planet through various projects at the museum. The green credentials of the museum building help reduce our carbon emissions while also creating a healthy habitat for local wildlife. This supports our 10-year strategy, Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone, outlining our goal to be carbon negative by 2031/32. It’s with special thanks to the team at the museum who have been instrumental in making these projects a reality and we’re all thrilled to have received this award.”

Furniture wants to expand its outreach across Distilleries, Interior Design shops and is also keen to develop a corporate/ retirement gift element to the business. If you have an idea you’d like to talk through with Ryan please get in touch.

The gift of giving, starts with Stagecoach

Spending time on a bus is time well spent. Video call your friends or family, organise your gift list or reach out to someone you’ve not heard from in a while.

Bring a smile to someone’s face and let them know you’re thinking of them this festive season…

So much love, from just one bus ticket!

Proudly supporting:

The Board of Directors is delighted to welcome the following companies as recently joined members of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

ARRAN SENSE OF SCOTLAND

Dundonald Carolann Devine info@arran.com

WALKER PHOTOGRAPHY

Dalry James Walker jimwalker@mail.com

THOMAS MCCABE PHOTOGRAPHY

Ayr Thomas McCabe mccabe.thomas@gmail.com

TW RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS

Irvine Tom Wood tom@twrecruitmentsolutions.com

SMARTSTEMS

Glasgow Mark Robertson mark.robertson@smartstems.org

ANGÉLA GÖRBE

Kilmarnock Angéla Görbe angela@en2hutranslator.com

LILYGIRL

Ayr Fiona McGhee & Leanne Helm Info@lilygirl.co.uk

AMPPOWER ENGINEERING LTD

Saltcoats Steven Edmund steven.edmund@amppowerengineering.com

BELLO LUCA COFFEE & GIFT SHOP LTD

Kilmarnock Emmeline Cimbalia bellolucacoffeeshop@yahoo.com

KEY RESERVATIONS

Ardrossan Craig Perkins craig@keyreservations.co.uk

AYR RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Ayr Glen Tippett info@ayrrugbyclub.co.uk

NURSE RHI BELL

Kilmarnock Rhianna Bell nurserhibell@outlook.com

WISHING WELL RETREAT Kilmarnock Lauren Young Lauren@wishingwellretreat.co.uk

KILMARNOCK YMCA PLUS SCIO Kilmarnock Josephine Orr josephineorr5@outlook.com

AYR HOUSING AID CENTRE SCIO Ayr Suzanne Slavin info@ayrhousingaidcentre.com

PROPERTY SOLUTIONS COMPANY (THE) KIlmarnock Euan Martin euan@thepropertysolutionscompany.com

MACTU TRAINING

Ardrossan Carl Macdonald carl@mactu.co.uk

CP SPORT AND FITNESS

Kilmarnock Callum Corbett-Peters callum@cpsportandfitness.com

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT GROUP (SCMG) Glasgow Martin Murphy martin@scmg.co.uk

BULLISH COFFEE COMPANY (THE)

Ayr Ross Farley contact@bullishcoffeecompany.co.uk

KONSILEO Kilmarnock Kris Jackson kris.jackson@konsileo.com

RENEW-ABLE PRODUCTS LTD Glasgow Emanuel Howell Accounts@renew-ablesolutions.com

HORSESCOTLAND Prestwick Fiona Rawson fiona@horsescotland.org

DOQIT TECHNOLOGIES LTD London Catherine Ann Reid catherineann@doqit.io

HOLMES MACKILLOP Prestwick Ralph Riddiough general@homack.co.uk

GB SOUNDZ - EVENTS & WEDDING SERVICES LTD Troon Gregor Baird info@gbsoundz.co.uk

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY IN SCOTLAND Edinburgh David Allen scotland@open.ac.uk

FUTURE CHAMBER MEMBERS

CREATIVE OCCASION CO (THE) Troon Caroline Smyth Bickerstaff hello@thecreativeoccasionco.com

BOAB'S PIT STOP Kilmarnock Robert Govans n8oab@hotmail.co.uk

JENNIFER GRAHAM Ayr Jennifer Graham hello@jennifer-graham.co.uk

NARTURE CIC Ayr Saskia Jae Singer info@narture.co.uk

WEST COAST MOTORS LTD West Kilbride Ollie Woods Ollie@wcmotors.co.uk

FANGIRL SOCIAL Glasgow Chloe Hendrie chloehendriemedia@gmail.com